The surge of the Omicron variant has taken its toll on OSA students. This ARTICLE EXPLORES how the vocal shut down affected osa students. -- mackenzie luna, cb omand, 6th grade
The surge of the Omicron variant has taken its toll on OSA students. Especially the kids in the Vocal Sub-pathway. Even with Vocal students singing with masks on, the school decided that they were not allowed to sing upon returning from winter break. This lasted for a week, and as of now, the Vocal kids are allowed to sing again.
Kids in Vocal had many feelings about what had happened.
“I wasn't really surprised,” said Anneli Skatter, a 6th grader in Vocal at OSA. “Since Omicron was already such a big thing, it made sense that singing would spread a lot of germs but it was also annoying, since our emphasis is literally for singing.”
When Skatter was asked about how she would feel if Vocal shut down again, she stated, “I would just be really irritated, at being not able to sing and also just at COVID itself.” Skatter also mentioned that the Vocal teacher wanted her kids to sing, but she couldn't change the rules.
Next, Peace Creeal, a Vocal student at OSA. “If we were ever told we were not allowed to sing again, I would be sad and disappointed,” Creel said. “That’s what Vocal is for, singing.''
When asked what activities they do when singing isn't available, Creel answered, “We hummed a couple of songs, instead of singing.”
“Mrs. Plett came back the next week,’ said Creel, “and told us we would be singing again, we were glad."
Chloe Breed, a 6th grade vocalist student at OSA said that, “We learned about people and did worksheets instead of singing. It was kind of boring.” When asked what Breed’s friends were thinking, Breed answered, “Me and my friends thought it was stupid. They said they thought we would be safe.”
How would you feel if you were unable to sing again? “ I would feel bad,” Breed started, “If Vocal was told we could not sing, when that’s literally what we are there for.” Breed also stated, “I really hated the short time that we were unable to sing, it really sucked.”
Finally, Bella Minelli, a 6th grade Vocal student at OSA. After asking when she got the news, Minelli responded, “I got the message on Tuesday right after winter break in class.”
“My teachers were sad but they did it for everyone's own good,” she added. “Instead of singing we got to do fun paperwork,” said Minelli. “We also got to do an artist slideshow that was fun!” However, she stated that she would be annoyed if the school decided to shut down vocals again.
Kids that are not Vocal also expressed a lot of feelings.
“I don't think that the rule was fair because in Vocal all you really do is sing, that's kinda that point of the emphasis.” said Mila Boyden, a 6th grade Literary Arts student. . This idea was a common theme throughout the interviews that took place. She stated through a few questions that she and many of her friends’ sub-pathways did not get affected by the shut down. Boyden also expressed that she didn't know any reason for this shut down.
Next, Katia Pavkovic, a 6th grade Instrumental Music student, stated, “I did know that vocal kids had their pathway shut down. I have friends who are vocal that told me.” Although Boyden and her friends were not affected by covid surges, Pavkovic on the other hand, was affected. “I'm in instrumental music and my pathway got shut down due to having to blow air with your mouth.” Pavkovic thought the rule was fair, remarking that “Yeah, I think it was fair. I know the school was just trying to protect us.”
“I found out from my friends in vocal,” said Crow Romo-Griffin, a 6th grade visual artist. ” Romo-Griffin had a mix between Boyden and Pavkovic’s feelings. He stated that “I think they should definitely be able to sing, but they should find ways to be more safe going about it.” Like Boyden, Romo-Griffin’s emphasis was not affected, “All of the Visual students have their own supplies, we are very self-sufficient,” he added.
Finally, Thea Houser, a 6th grade Theater student at OSA, said that “I did know that Vocal kids weren't allowed to sing. Matilda rehearsals were shut down because we couldn't sing, and even though I'm not in Matilda, I heard about it from a friend.”
Houser also stated that fey and feir friends were annoyed with the shutdown. “My friends in Theater and Vocal and I felt annoyed. The [Omicron] surges put the plans we had for the next quarter on hold.” Fey had the same point of view as Boyden in that the rule was unfair. “I don't think the rule was fair because only performing arts was affected. Also, the instrumentalists who play instruments like piano or guitar where you don't need to take your mask off also had to stop playing because [the admin thought] it wouldn't be fair if half of instrumentalists got to keep playing and the other half didn't.
Kids in Vocal had many feelings about what had happened.
“I wasn't really surprised,” said Anneli Skatter, a 6th grader in Vocal at OSA. “Since Omicron was already such a big thing, it made sense that singing would spread a lot of germs but it was also annoying, since our emphasis is literally for singing.”
When Skatter was asked about how she would feel if Vocal shut down again, she stated, “I would just be really irritated, at being not able to sing and also just at COVID itself.” Skatter also mentioned that the Vocal teacher wanted her kids to sing, but she couldn't change the rules.
Next, Peace Creeal, a Vocal student at OSA. “If we were ever told we were not allowed to sing again, I would be sad and disappointed,” Creel said. “That’s what Vocal is for, singing.''
When asked what activities they do when singing isn't available, Creel answered, “We hummed a couple of songs, instead of singing.”
“Mrs. Plett came back the next week,’ said Creel, “and told us we would be singing again, we were glad."
Chloe Breed, a 6th grade vocalist student at OSA said that, “We learned about people and did worksheets instead of singing. It was kind of boring.” When asked what Breed’s friends were thinking, Breed answered, “Me and my friends thought it was stupid. They said they thought we would be safe.”
How would you feel if you were unable to sing again? “ I would feel bad,” Breed started, “If Vocal was told we could not sing, when that’s literally what we are there for.” Breed also stated, “I really hated the short time that we were unable to sing, it really sucked.”
Finally, Bella Minelli, a 6th grade Vocal student at OSA. After asking when she got the news, Minelli responded, “I got the message on Tuesday right after winter break in class.”
“My teachers were sad but they did it for everyone's own good,” she added. “Instead of singing we got to do fun paperwork,” said Minelli. “We also got to do an artist slideshow that was fun!” However, she stated that she would be annoyed if the school decided to shut down vocals again.
Kids that are not Vocal also expressed a lot of feelings.
“I don't think that the rule was fair because in Vocal all you really do is sing, that's kinda that point of the emphasis.” said Mila Boyden, a 6th grade Literary Arts student. . This idea was a common theme throughout the interviews that took place. She stated through a few questions that she and many of her friends’ sub-pathways did not get affected by the shut down. Boyden also expressed that she didn't know any reason for this shut down.
Next, Katia Pavkovic, a 6th grade Instrumental Music student, stated, “I did know that vocal kids had their pathway shut down. I have friends who are vocal that told me.” Although Boyden and her friends were not affected by covid surges, Pavkovic on the other hand, was affected. “I'm in instrumental music and my pathway got shut down due to having to blow air with your mouth.” Pavkovic thought the rule was fair, remarking that “Yeah, I think it was fair. I know the school was just trying to protect us.”
“I found out from my friends in vocal,” said Crow Romo-Griffin, a 6th grade visual artist. ” Romo-Griffin had a mix between Boyden and Pavkovic’s feelings. He stated that “I think they should definitely be able to sing, but they should find ways to be more safe going about it.” Like Boyden, Romo-Griffin’s emphasis was not affected, “All of the Visual students have their own supplies, we are very self-sufficient,” he added.
Finally, Thea Houser, a 6th grade Theater student at OSA, said that “I did know that Vocal kids weren't allowed to sing. Matilda rehearsals were shut down because we couldn't sing, and even though I'm not in Matilda, I heard about it from a friend.”
Houser also stated that fey and feir friends were annoyed with the shutdown. “My friends in Theater and Vocal and I felt annoyed. The [Omicron] surges put the plans we had for the next quarter on hold.” Fey had the same point of view as Boyden in that the rule was unfair. “I don't think the rule was fair because only performing arts was affected. Also, the instrumentalists who play instruments like piano or guitar where you don't need to take your mask off also had to stop playing because [the admin thought] it wouldn't be fair if half of instrumentalists got to keep playing and the other half didn't.